Huiyi Kuang

Chen’s School of Art & Design, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Plant Gene and Trait, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 1   
Received: 10 Jan., 2026    Accepted: 10 Feb., 2026    Published: 18 Feb., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study mainly analyzes the genetic causes of the color formation of maple leaves and its practical application in landscape design. Maple trees are an important ornamental tree species in temperate regions, and the leaf color changes significantly with the seasons. This change is mainly related to three types of pigments, namely chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The content and proportion of these pigments directly affect the leaf color. Research has found that genes related to anthocyanin synthesis, such as CHS, UFGT, and DFR, as well as related transcription factors, such as MYB and bHLH, play an important role in the formation of leaf color. Different maple tree varieties have differences in the expression of these genes, thus showing various leaf colors such as red, yellow, and green. In addition to genetic factors, environmental conditions such as light and temperature also affect the accumulation of pigments and gene expression, thereby causing changes in leaf color. In landscape construction, maple trees are often used in parks, roads, and scenic areas. By reasonably combining different leaf-color maple tree varieties and combining with evergreen trees, water features, and other landscape elements, a landscape effect with clear layers and prominent seasonal characteristics can be formed. The relevant case in Kyoto, Japan, shows that when large areas of maple forests are combined with the natural environment, they can demonstrate high ecological value, cultural value, and economic value. In the future, using genetic information for targeted breeding is expected to provide more new maple tree varieties with both ornamental value and adaptability for urban greening.

Maple; Leaf color; Genetic basis; Anthocyanins; Landscape design